Stage Set For Sixth Saint Lucia T10 Blast

Talented batsman Jamaal James was the top pick in the 2025 Dream11 Saint Lucia T10 Blast, securing a spot with the Iyanola Heritage. The much-anticipated draft took place on Wednesday evening at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, setting the scene for the tournament’s sixth season, which begins on June 24.

Organised by the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA), the competition will run until July 8 at the historic Mindoo Phillip Park in East Castries.

James will join forces with West Indies opener Johnson Charles, who will captain what promises to be an explosive lineup. The team also features last year’s top wicket-taker, Jamal Lesmond, West Indies Under-19 pacer McKenny Clarke, Zinakki Louis, Bolton Sayers and Collinus Callendar.

In eight previous T10 innings, James has scored 135 runs off 97 balls, boasting a strike rate of 139.1 and an average of 22.50. Last season, he played two scintillating unbeaten fifties, off just 28 and 27 balls, helping Central Castries Mindoo Heritage clinch the title. His current form in the Saint Lucia Premier League T20 has been equally impressive, with 176 runs in seven innings at an average of 35.20 and a strike rate of 143.09.

However, Mindoo Heritage will not defend their title this year, as the SLNCA has revamped the tournament format, reducing the number of teams. Tournament director John Estephane explained that the shift to a full franchise system aims to enhance revenue generation, marketability and competitiveness.

Six teams will compete, two fewer than in 2024, playing a total of 30 matches. The first round will feature two groups of three, followed by a mixed round-robin stage where each team faces all three opponents from the opposite group.

The champions will take home a $10,000 prize, with additional financial rewards for top performers in batting, bowling and fielding.

Sponsored by Indian fantasy sports giant Dream11, the T10 Blast debuted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, filling a void for cricket-starved audiences. Since then, similar leagues have emerged across the Windward Islands, solidifying the T10 Blast as a staple in the regional cricket calendar.

At the tournament launch, SLNCA president Wayne Auguste highlighted the role of youth development in the league’s success. Saint Lucia has produced eight West Indies players in recent years – a testament, Auguste argued, to the association’s grassroots focus.

“We have had quite a bit of success this year as a cricket association,” Auguste said. “For the first time, we have seven players on the regional first-class circuit, the highest number in our history. And that is a product of the Saint Lucia High Performance Cricket Centre…  We also have a number of ladies on the West Indies international team – Qiana Joseph, Zaida, James, Nerissa Crafton. That is quite an accomplishment. 

“So you would think we are happy with where we are in cricket. We are not. And that’s why we are happy to see so many potential sponsors here with us tonight. Because we need support to strengthen our grassroots programme. That is one of the critical strategy goals for us as an association.”

Many of the league’s current stars emerged from these initiatives. The Bamboo Blasters, led by last year’s leading run-scorer Stephen Naitram, have bolstered their squad with Soufriere all-rounder Kevin Gassie, alongside spinner Larry Edward, wicketkeeper Noelle Leo, and Under-19 talents Theo Edward and Khan Elcock.

Meanwhile, the Whiptail Smashers, captained by former West Indies U-19 skipper Kimani Melius, secured all-rounder Shawnil Edward as their top pick. The team also features the Goodman brothers, Jard and Ryan, U-19 batter Leon Alexander (the schools’ competition top scorer), and wicket-taker Darvin Forde.

Kester Charlemagne’s Amazonian Warriors drafted Royce Paul and Murlan Sammy to join young prospects Tyler Venner and Isaiah Jones.

West Indies U-19 player Tarrique Edward will lead the Piton Strikers, supported by Windward Islands quick Keon Gaston, Cody Fontinelle and Sky Lafeuillee.

Rounding out the teams, the Calabash Giants, captained by Saint Lucia Kings and Windward Islands Volcanoes batsman Shadrack Descarte, added Caleb Thomas to a roster including all-rounder Dornan Edward and U-19 fast bowler Bjorn Fanis.

With the draft complete, anticipation is building. Teams will spend the coming weeks fine-tuning their strategies in pursuit of the title. Given the condensed format – just 60 balls per innings – there’s little room for error. The stage is set for a thrilling tournament.